July News from UUFaithActionNJ

 

Address Confidentiality bill passes

Our FIRST EVER UU-researched, -written and -championed legislation in NJ has successfully passed the legislature and awaits Gov. Murphy’s signature to take effect. The bill protects the addresses of reproductive health care providers, volunteers and patients as well as victims of sexual assault and stalking.

New Jersey Energy Master Plan

The state has proposed a “visionary” master plan for reaching 100% clean energy by 2050. This plan defines clean energy to include nuclear energy and fossil fuels balanced by an equivalent amount of carbon renewal.

Three public comment meetings are scheduled for:

July 17 in Trenton, August 8 in Newark, and September 12 in Camden. Get information about participating at www.state.nj.us/emp/get/

Isolated Confinement Restriction Act

UU FaithAction has supported this legislation (A314/S3261) for the past 4 years. We believe Gov. Murphy will sign this bill only if we can demonstrate solid support, so are planning several actions beginning with an Open Public Letter for you to sign. PLEASE:

1. Sign onto the Open Letter

2. Share the link to the Open Letter and ask your NJ friends, family and colleagues to add their support.

Close NJ Youth Prisons

Alongside our partners at the NJ Institute for Social Justice, we are campaigning to close New Jersey’s youth prisons and reinvest the funds into more local, community-based programs.

Take action now by sending a letter to Gov. Murphy opposing his plan to construct three new youth prisons at a time when we already have surplus beds and the state spends over $289,000 per year to incarcerate each youth.

Secondly, send a letter to your legislator in support of the 2020 budget resolution tht would stop the state from appropriating this money.

Our UU Community

The *2019/20* UU FaithAction Board begins July 1

Welcome new members: Liandra Pires (Palisades/Englewood), Mark T Williams (Plainfield), Phil Lubitz (Hunterdon Co.), Carinne Murphy (Paramus), and Clara Haignere (Princeton).

Thanks to returning members: New Board President, Tim Catts (Beacon/Summit), Nick Lewis (Montclair), Mia Morse (Beacon), Anthony Torres (Paramus), Bill Slezak, Treasurer (Essex Co.), Tom Moran (Morristown) and Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Secretary (TUS/East Brunswick)

Recent Ministerial Changes

We would also like to recognize some ministerial changes in NJ: welcome to Revs. Andree Mol (Paramus), Jennifer Kelleher (Princeton) and Craig Rubano (Lincroft). If we’ve inadvertently missed anyone (esp. in RE/Community Ministry) please let us know!

Welcome to our Immigration Task Force Summer Interns!

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our two summer interns – a first for UU FaithAction. We received a grant from the UU Service Committee that allows us to hire two summer interns for work related to our mission, especially concerning sponsorship activities and offering temporary housing, accompaniment for undocumented persons, and support for persons traveling by bus who have been detained at the southern border and sent to places around the country (like here in New Jersey) to live with family members. Welcome Daniela Velez  and Laura Waddell.
Save the date!

For our first ever Eco Gala to be held Friday January 10, 2020. We’ll be honoring ministers and lay leaders who have moved the needle in NJ for progressive social justice. Please contact Marty Rothfelder to volunteer.